TOWPATH TRAIL

FRENCH CREEK COUNCIL

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

PROCEDURE FOR HIKING THE TOWPATH TRAIL

One copy of the Trail Program booklet is furnished free upon request to a unit.  Additional copies can be obtained at the cost listed on the pamphlet. Copies of the history section should be made and distributed to each Scout hiker.

Unit Leader, in conjunction with his youth leadership, selects date to hike the trail, completes appropriate paperwork, and forwards to French Creek Council, 815 Robison Rd. W., Erie, PA, 16509.

The Erie Extension Canal Towpath Trail is located at State Gamelands #214.

Originally the towpath of the Erie Extension Canal and later the bed of the Bessemer - Lake Erie Railroad, this remarkable grass surfaced trail takes the hiker along a rich wildlife corridor that is bounded by wetlands and woods its entire length.

The hike is approx. 4 miles and should be completed in one day.  This is a great trail for Webelos Dens or for new Boy Scouts, warm-up hikes and it is simply a beautiful hike.    Estimated time to hike the trail is 2 to 3 hours. You may begin either at State Rt. 258 terminus, or you may begin at the Hartstown terminus.

If you begin on State Rt. 285, you will head south from the trailhead on PA Route 285 you will find parking is located just off State Rt. 285 towards Conneaut Lake, just over the railroad tracks to the right. Or, from Conneaut Lake towards Ohio, on your left.

If you begin at the Hartstown terminus, locate the Hartstown cemetery, off of cemetery Rd. on US Rt. 322. If you are heading west, the cemetery is visible on the left, before the stoplight.  You may embark here and head north on the trail.

This trail is bounded on one side by a body of water that was the original dredging of the canal, which has been further impounded by beaver dams at its southern end.

Hikers must be in appropriate uniform, keep together as a group, respect property along the trail, observe good hiking manners, and stay out of the water.  Adults are advised to keep their Scouts away from the water’s edge and not to throw anything (including sticks and stones) into the water at any point.

While hiking, be alert for ATVs and make sure their way is clear if you come across any. Never hike this trail during hunting season.

Upon completion of the hike, each Scout must write a 100 word essay about what he has learned about the history of the canals in this area.  These are collected by the unit leader.  The unit leader then files the application for Trail Awards, along with the appropriate remittance, to the Council Service Center.

A patch is available for each person completing the hike and writing the essay.